Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Sorry. You expressed an opinion and then asked a question.

At the risk of a threadjack. I also run systems off timers but my main system is on autosiphons because I thought the DO levels would be better than a slower trickle from a timer based system. OBO's comment seems to refute that, anybody got hard data on the difference. I could be turned back to the dark side if there is no difference .

Sorry Duff,
You are quite right. I did'nt mean to be obstrepilous.
I have used 25mm black pipe as a loop siphon, and it worked, but I could'nt see what was going on, so I went back to clear.
My fault.
I always appreciate feed-back and I am the first one to admit my mistakes, so forgive my "bloody-mindessness".
Please take my postings with "a bit of salt", I'm still learning.
Cheers and heartfelt acceptance,
IanK

Fishfodder,

The hard data I have is I have used both systems for an extended period of time.

Auto Siphons: Blocking, growbed overflow, emptying growbeds when only half full which caused seedlings to die because of no water, having to check pump pressure every other day, have to check that they are working properly everyday. Wasting half an hour a day to make sure they are working.

Flood and Drain with $5 timer that is set at 15min on 45 min off: Never had any of the above problems or any problems. Hassle and stress free.

I think having the pump cut out allows for back flow to clear any buildup on the pump. I have a 10000lph pump on a timer that looks clean ish. And a 5000lph on all the time that looks like a green rock. Might have to clean it soon.

100% right duff, I have posted before that even my 24/7 running pumps have a 15 minute break at some stage during the day to allow for a backflush.

Now, a siphon system running continuously should theoretically have a higher DO level because the pump is running all the time. Keep in mind that a siphon systems pump is usually smaller, so the standpipe system is probably moving the same amount of water, its just doing it in a shorter amount of time. You still gotta turn the water in the tank over once an hour, wether it happens in 15 minutes or 60. My recent experience has shown that a rapid exchange of water, causing more turbulence (ie a timer standpipe system) keeps the water cleaner.

I'd say the DO over a 24 hour average for both types of system would be very similar % wise. But for maximimum stocking density with constant monitoring, a siphon system will allow more fish I reckon.

No you don't.......

My system at home only turns over about 1/3 of it's volume every hour but has happily stocked over 40 kg of fish in it for multiple fish crops, Silvers and Barra...

Thanks OBO

That is sort of what I suspected. Would be nice to know for sure because I quite like the silence of the timer based systems I have. Siphons can make a racket.

Agree with EB, there is no way my system would turn over completely each hour using a timer.

1000 litre tank

3x500 litres grow beds holding a maximum of 600 litres. Only way to pass the 1000 litres is to pump for longer and have water flowing through for a while before shutting the pump off.

I reckon my siphons system changes over the 1000 litres twice an hour.

(3 x 200) x 4 times an hour = 2400litres.

Wouldn't make any difference with ammonia conversion but DO would I think be better.

Black covers OVER clear pipe is surel;y better ,, such as split flex conduit ..... CAN see what's happening and also limit algae growth:)

Well I do feel better after reading this thread. I have always thought that I should muck about with siphons since OBO gave me a demo on how they work.
Now I am not going to bother. Thank you.
My flood and drain system has given no problems, with the exception of the two drain holes in the bottom of one standpipe blocking. This causes no problems as the excess water drops down the centre of the stand pipe. If I didn't have separate return pipes from the GB to the sump, I may not have noticed it for some time. However the flow during drain was only a trickle going into the sump from this GB.
To pull out the standpipes is no problem, and dropping them back in and walking away is 99.9% fool proof. (I am a teacher, which accounts for my 0.1% doubt! I guarantee, some mothers do have them!!)

I always planned on loop siphon / and stand pipe . 3 ways for the water to get out. I also always planned timers on pumping ,, LOL
Hey ,, it is a multiple back-up

The standard overflow standpipe with a timer... is about as simple, foolproof and reliable as you can get... IMO

Having said that... I've run soft 19mm loop siphons on my blue barrel system for about 18 months without any major dramas... other than hooking my arm in one of the loops and tearing it out of the bottom of the barrel... but that was more a factor of my stupidity... and a bodgie first time outlet coupling...

I've had a couple of times where a clay ball has caused a slow siphon... and an overflow of the media.... and I do clean the pump once every couple of months... but I do that just as a maintenance thing anyway...

EB, I ran four loop siphons (3/4" garden hose) on four small beds for nine months continuously without any problems.

After nine months of no problems I finally had one overflow, but only after I had taken the gravel out and re-did the perforated pipe that protected the outlet. It overflowed because a piece of gravel blocked the hose. The loop siphons started and stopped fine despite the system being re-organized and the pump being replaced with another one after it failed.

This system was inside and so there wasn't any algae buildup. But there weren't any plants in it for that time to reduce solids either.

I've had some siphons work for over a year with no maintenance, and some that need fiddling every few days because I'm trying to stretch the timing of it.

Stand pipes and timers are MUCH easier.

IMO, if you want max DO for trout or whatever, keep the timer & standpipe and run an additional continuous line with 100% return to tank or airstones.

Ian, I cover my clear vinyl tubing with aluminum foil once I have it set up. It's laying around the house and has 96-98% reflectivity. Also, any time you have a pump you are electrically dependent. Your timer also being on a circuit doesn't *add* any risk of failure.